Flagler County merchants are being cautioned to stay alert for counterfeit bills that may be circulating in the area.

On Wednesday, the manager of a Wendy's restaurant on Palm Coast Parkway reported receiving a counterfeit $100 bill from a customer who was trying to pay for a meal.

The customer told deputies that he had withdrawn money from his bank account at a local bank and had no knowledge the note was fake. Investigators said three of the $100 bills the man had were suspected of being counterfeit.

Last week, the Orlando Regional Office of the Secret Service notified law enforcement agencies in their region of suspected counterfeit bills being circulated in and around the Orlando-Daytona area.

Merchants should check the font of the "Federal Reserve Note." The counterfeit version is different than the genuine. The Treasury Seal on the counterfeit is also missing part of the key bit and there is a space in the bottom of the shield.

Click here to see a comparison of counterfeit and genuine bills.

If merchants feel they have received a counterfeit bill, they should contact the Flagler County Sheriff's Office at 386-313-4911.